With Pride Week in Haliburton County right around the corner, Pride in the Highlands’ volunteer lead, Chris Hewson, said the local LGBTQ+ group has had to pivot to survive over the past year.
A lack of manpower has forced festivities, running Aug. 17-23, to be scaled back for this 10th annual celebration. Last year, Hewson and his former co-chair, Allan Guinan, said the group needed to find more helping hands to assist with event planning and delivery, though that didn’t pan out.
“The Pride planning committee used to be 12-people strong a few years ago. Then it dropped to nine and now we’re down to seven,” Hewson said. “We just don’t have the time to do everything we want, so we’ve had to pick and choose where to put our energy. So, this year’s Pride Week is a little pared back compared to what people have seen before.”
Celebrations begin Aug. 17 with flagraising ceremonies at Minden Hills township office (11 a.m.), in Stanhope at Algonquin Highlands municipal office (1 p.m.), and at A.J. LaRue Arena in Haliburton (4 p.m.).
This is the second year for the Dysart raising and first in Algonquin Highlands. Hewson feels it’s important hosting flag-raisings all over the County – especially since the group officially changed its name to encompass the wider Highlands region last year.
“The raising of the flag is more than a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community; it’s a beacon, a visual reminder that the Haliburton Highlands are a welcome and safe space for everybody,” Hewson said.
There is no flag raising in Highlands East, though Hewson confirmed no application was submitted to the township.
Other marquee events include a collaboration with youth theatre troupe CtrlART-Del, with a special reading of Paul Dunn’s Outside at Highland Hills United Church in Minden Aug. 18 and 20 at 6:30 p.m. It follows the story of Daniel, a teen who triumphs over homophobic bullying, depression and suicidal thoughts.
There’s a Pride picnic for youth at Rails End Gallery Aug. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; an artist reception and opening party for ‘Voice of Pride’ art exhibition at the Minden Hills Cultural Centre Aug. 19 at 7 p.m.; a screening of Pixar’s Onward at the cultural centre Aug. 21 at 2 p.m.; and rainbow trivia night at The Dominion Hotel Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.
There are also two drag storytime events planned – at Haliburton County Public Library branches in Minden (Aug. 18, 3-4 p.m.) and Haliburton (Aug. 20, 3-4 p.m.). Both will feature Minden entrepreneur Shawn Smandych in drag as his alter-ego, Auntie Plum.
“It’s a literacy program… it’s been very well-attended in the past, participants love it and that’s why we continue to do it,” Hewson said.
Asked why he felt it was appropriate to expose children to concepts like drag and what some of the benefits are, Hewson said it sparks creativity and imagination.
“When we think about the way we approach drag, it is in a very fun, imaginative and playful way… there’s nothing sexual about it,” Hewson said. “Drag exists in all shades of the rainbow. There are more adult-appropriate things we’ve done in the past, but those definitely aren’t happening in the middle of the day at a library.”
Pride Week will close with its rainbow street festival in downtown Minden Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be various vendors selling their products, musical performances, a show by NorthFIRE Circus and Gayly Forward and the always-popular river run.
Hewson said he’s seen an increase in homophobic-fuelled actions, including a banner in Minden promoting Pride Week twice being cut down in recent weeks.
“We see and experience more divisive verbiage and behaviour than in the past – that comes from being more visible, present and engaged with the community. But being out is what we’re about – being closeted is no place for someone to live, survive or thrive. By shining our lights as boldly as we dare, we’re encouraging others to shine their lights too.”
Anyone interested in getting involved can contact Hewson at chris. prideinthehighlands@gmail.com.
